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Virgil van Dijk has issued a scathing assessment of the club's disappointing title defence, admitting the title holders are in disarray and letting down head coach Slot while questioning whether every player is taking responsibility for the team’s slump.

Van Dijk could not contain his anger after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Nottingham Forest, a result that left Liverpool in the lower section of the top-flight standings with a negative goal difference. Tom Werner was present at Anfield to witness Liverpool’s latest loss in seven league games, their eighth setback in 11 matches across every tournament, and a performance that unravelled against a Forest side that started the day in the relegation zone.

Poor Second Half and Defensive Lapses

Van Dijk labeled Liverpool’s start to the second half as “not good enough” and admitted “anxiety set in” as soon as the Forest player gave Sean Dyche’s team the lead. The first goal was the ninth concession Liverpool have conceded from a set piece in the current campaign.

“We had a great three or four days’ preparation but in a game you are facing reality and the facts are we gave away a set piece in the first half and a poor concession at the start of the second half,” stated the defender. “We are certainly letting him down, but we’ve disappointed ourselves as well. Start with self-reflection and then you support teammates, you help each other get out of this mess because at the present time it is a mess – that's the reality.

Captain’s Challenge: Step Up

The skipper usually speaks the media after a game as part of his role as Liverpool captain. Saturday was different, however. His voice was much louder – audible enough that any player in the stadium corridors could hear him – and he shook with anger while challenging the dressing room to respond. “You should be angry,” he emphasized. “The key point for me is that each individual has to take responsibility.” Asked whether that is happening, he replied: “It's unclear. But it's essential. It’s the main thing I want the players to do. It’s not easy during difficult times but we have to do it if we aim to recover of this.”

Summer Signings and Team Problems

Liverpool spent almost £450 million to strengthen a championship-winning team in the off-season but have regressed, with new arrivals struggling to contribute so far. The captain maintained that Liverpool’s problems go beyond the new recruits. “It's difficult for all involved,” he said. “My expectation is for everyone to take responsibility on the field. We have to do that in order to motivate one another, to make each other better. When someone is pressing, you must join the effort. It’s basic things but they're lacking enough.”

Appeal to Stick Together

The Dutchman continued: “In the current term we don’t have any consistency, we concede far too many goals, we are being out-fought and everyone is responsible for it and I trust everyone sees that. It's vital to accept duty to turn this around and tempting to assign blame but unity is essential. Past successes were collective and claimed the title and all contributed, and when you go through a challenging phase you must remain united and avoid blaming others.

“You have to be a man and confront the hardship and persist, again and again because if you want to give up then you are in the wrong environment in my eyes, because Liverpool has been going through many adversity over recent seasons and we’ve consistently emerged of it. However, that doesn't imply it is straightforward, it’s tiring but there is only one path forward.”

Looking Ahead

Next up in the domestic league is a visit to London Stadium next weekend, after the midweek visit of the Dutch side in the European competition. He commented: “Wednesday is another opportunity so how should I respond, dwell on the loss? No, I’m going to go home and try to think how we can improve results and hopefully that is the collective focus as well.”